Happy Notes to India

Another package/letter is off to the Srinu sisters today. It is quite a lot to put together because there are 3 of them. I want to send all 3 something at one time, so it takes three times as long. Shana wanted to send them some bracelets, so I had to get those ready as well. Jaden drew them each a unique picture. Then, I included short questionnaires for them to fill out should the mood strike them (which with everything they are going through, I think it may not happen any time soon). Then, each one of them got a different picture of the girls and a different charm on their bracelet. I can't wait to see pictures of them with the items we sent. I HOPE that the bracelets can put at least a small smile on their faces. Stay tuned- We should have pictures of them with their items in about 2 to 3 weeks!

A Very Sad Day for the Srinu Girls

We received pictures of the 3 girls in India that Jaden sent drawings to. I sent 3 simple letters along with the drawings, in hopes of giving them a person to talk to. Their mother passed away just a short while ago, and now their father is not doing well. As you can tell by their faces, it is a very rough time. I inquired about the girls' HIV status because no one had mentioned it. I wondered if they had ever been tested, Well, it turns out that they hadn't. Pastor Frances took them to the hospital for their tests. One came back positive!! Strangely, it was the oldest, Hari with the positive test!! That means the parents have had it for at least 13 years!! Plus, how did the other two come out negative when the parents didn't know to do the retrovirals inutero, and not breast feed, etc. How did they come up negative? I am happy they did, but it is a strange chain of events. I, also, will never understand why people don't get their kids tested when they see themselves dying. I know it sux to know your child is sick too, but the sooner you know the sooner you can start treatment.

Ok, so now we have the treatment part. We are looking into that now to see what can be done for Hari. Most countries now have a program that provides HIV medication and checkups, but I know nothing about India.

Now is the time to wrap ourselves even closer to the children and give our support! If you would like to send cards or uplifting letters, join the group!
[Friends_of_the_Srinu_Family_and_Vardanapu_Family] on Yahoo!

Letters and Drawings to 3 Girls in Mourning

Jaden worked hard on making pictures for 3 girls who just lost their mother to AIDS. She wanted them to be cheerful. I wrote letters to all three of them to go along with the drawings. The 3 little girls, ages 8, 10, and 12 are in a very difficult situation. They are now watching their father die! I can not imagine how these children all over the world dealing with this disease are able to cope with so much loss and despair in their short lifetimes!! (and to think I am currently bothered by my sinus infection!)